Social Development
Whether there are any coordinating mechanisms between the Department of Human Settlements, the Department of Local Government and his Department regarding the accessibility for persons with disabilities when it comes to the building of RDP houses; if so, what are the relevant details?
The National Department of Human Settlements is currently working on its 8th draft relating to Special Needs Group Housing (SNGH) with National Department of Social Development; SALGA, other departments and NPOs. All Provinces await this policy to be finalised so that it can be implemented.
If approved, the concept of Special Needs Group Housing is that Social Development and Human Settlements work closely together to ascertain need for such housing, and endorse such projects, before providing capital funding. Local Government (Municipalities) will be responsible for overall project planning and management on behalf of government and dispensing of funds. The operations of the organisation operating in this government-built facility will be subsidized by Social Development.
RDP housing schemes is another housing scheme for individuals and their families. The RDP housing schemes have always been accommodating of individual people with disabilities. According to Department of Human Settlements, 5% of any housing development for citizens who qualify on this scheme, should be allocated to people with disabilities. The person/guardian/parent of a person with a disability has to disclose the disability details and complete required forms. These are then reviewed by a panel within the Municipal Human Settlements department and then allocated. The project is provided with additional funds for this 5% housing allocation to make reasonable accommodations, in many cases, wheelchair accessibility within the house.
The Department of Social Development have been engaging Department of Human Settlements about other disabilities and the reasonable accommodations for these e.g. environmental controls where lights flash if the doorbell rings, or if there is a fire for those who are deaf. Also alarms are provided e.g. smoke alarms for persons with visual impairment or blindness in case of fire.
Social Development is committed to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to be included into mainstream society.
